[laurawho7]

I'm looking at the Fezzari Kings peak Kings Peak | Fezzari Bikes® I'm 5'9" 230lbs and I want something that can handle my weight and not weigh a ton to put it in the back of my Honda Element.

Also looking at the Motobecane with a bluto fork. Save up to 60% off new Rockshox Bluto Equipped Fat Bikes and Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Night Train Bullet 1X12 SRAM EAGLE Price is right and comes quicker than the Fezzari.

Does anyone have these? Pros/cons? How's the customer service with both?

I have to wait months for both. One has a carbon fork the other the bluto. If I want to ride on local trails in the summer, should I get the one with the bluto?

 

[chucko58]

What's your experience/skill/comfort level, what kind of terrain will you be riding? And do you have experience assembling bikes, or someone to help you who has experience?

I helped a friend put together a low-end (under $500) fat bike from Bikes Direct. It needed a fair bit of assembly with standard tools (mostly Allen wrenches). Between us it came together pretty quickly though. I thought the frame was well built. Some of the components, like the hubs and the drivetrain, were not very good quality. But again, this was a sub $500 bike, so that's to be expected.

The two bikes you suggested have very similar geometry. Fezzari has a better reputation for customer service, and the bike would probably be in fewer pieces when you got it. Bikes Direct has better components at a lower price (the dropper post and suspension forks are extra cost add-ons on the Fezzari), and you'd get the bike sooner, but you'd need to put it together. And suspension forks need regular maintenance.

Speaking as someone about the same size, I would be a little leery of a rigid carbon bike on drops and jumps. I'd check with Fezzari about their recommended weight limit on the frame before ordering.

IMHO, worth what you paid for it: If you are an experienced rider used to rigid bikes on mountain trails, or you will be riding terrain without a lot of chunk to it, the Fezzari might be a better choice. Otherwise I like the Motobecane, but you'll need some skills to put it together.

 

[laurawho7]

What's your experience/skill/comfort level, what kind of terrain will you be riding? And do you have experience assembling bikes, or someone to help you who has experience?

I helped a friend put together a low-end (under $500) fat bike from Bikes Direct. It needed a fair bit of assembly with standard tools (mostly Allen wrenches). Between us it came together pretty quickly though. I thought the frame was well built. Some of the components, like the hubs and the drivetrain, were not very good quality. But again, this was a sub $500 bike, so that's to be expected.

The two bikes you suggested have very similar geometry. Fezzari has a better reputation for customer service, and the bike would probably be in fewer pieces when you got it. Bikes Direct has better components at a lower price (the dropper post and suspension forks are extra cost add-ons on the Fezzari), and you'd get the bike sooner, but you'd need to put it together. And suspension forks need regular maintenance.

Speaking as someone about the same size, I would be a little leery of a rigid carbon bike on drops and jumps. I'd check with Fezzari about their recommended weight limit on the frame before ordering.

IMHO, worth what you paid for it: If you are an experienced rider used to rigid bikes on mountain trails, or you will be riding terrain without a lot of chunk to it, the Fezzari might be a better choice. Otherwise I like the Motobecane, but you'll need some skills to put it together.

I'm new to MTB. I've ridden road bikes for 20+yrs. I've taken a lesson on downhill mtb at a local ski mountain that has a lift. It was great fun but I don't know how much I'd actually do that. Locally we have flat trails to more aggressive trails. Our local MTB club is working on building more mtb trails. From what I understand those trails are open year round. I live in southern Maine and we get a fair amount of snow. My thoughts were to get a fat tire bike and see how much I use it in the snow then switch tires to ride the local trails to build up my skills and eventually get a MTB.

I am pretty handy. I've never built a bike but I can read and follow directions. I can also google and find videos via YouTube if I got stuck on something. LBS is also very helpful and reasonably priced on services.

Hopefully, getting out on trails year round I'd lose more weight as I have plateaued weight loss just riding the bike on the indoor trainer. Not a huge fan of how the drivers are in my area and I won't ride on the roads. The flat Eastern Trail is fun to ride but I'm looking for more variety and the ability to ride more challenging terrain. Presently I have a gravel bike, but I am selling it to move into the fat tire bike. I enjoy the 1x10 gears and find it easy to use and fun to ride but on more challenging terrain, its not the right bike.

Until I have either a MTB or fat tire bike to ride the more challenging terrain I can't build up my skills and see what sort of MTB I'd prefer. I just know that a gravel bike isn't the right choice. If I could ride more on the roads it might be. But it's not safe on the roads and I am not comfortable on them with the drivers who regularly run bike riders over. I think trail riding and seeking out some more aggressive terrains would be where I'm looking to spend my time outside. Otherwise I have the road bike on the trainer for the really cold and nasty days.

I've looked at the Framed Alaskan Carbon with the bluto fork as well. But I will ask about weight limits on the carbon bikes.

 

[eb1888]

Your weight isn't a problem. Many bikes put the limit at 300 lbs.
I'd get a M of a bike I recommend often. Ragley Big Al 1.0. Best fork in this price range or even higher.

Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Red

Buy your Ragley Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Red at wiggle.com. Our price . FREE delivery available.

www.wiggle.com

Get on the notification list. Could be 2-4 weeks to ship. 4 day ship time. CRC is the same company. They have a notification signup.
Look at YouTube Hardtail Party for a review.

 

[laurawho7]

Your weight isn't a problem. Many bikes put the limit at 300 lbs.
I'd get a M of a bike I recommend often. Ragley Big Al 1.0. Best fork in this price range or even higher.

Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Red

Buy your Ragley Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Red at wiggle.com. Our price . FREE delivery available.

www.wiggle.com

Get on the notification list. Could be 2-4 weeks to ship. 4 day ship time. CRC is the same company. They have a notification signup.
Look at YouTube Hardtail Party for a review.

Not sure I'm looking for a Hardtail I think I'm looking for more of a fat tire bike.

 

[chucko58]

I saw you also posted in the Fat Bikes forum. They probably have more relevant experience.

From what you've said here I don't see a lot of reason to prefer one bike over the other. Since you're testing the fat bike waters, and may ultimately go a different direction, it may not be worth dropping extra coin on the carbon frame.

I don't recall that my friend's Bikes Direct fat bike had much in the way of instructions. I do recall that they had a lot of fun with it, but ultimately gave it to someone (this is urban California and we don't get snow, and they don't live close to a beach for sand riding) when they got a city bike. And now they have a scooter, so the city bike doesn't get ridden.

I could see a rigid fat bike being a ton of fun in the winter. Surly's Wednesday looks like it might fit the bill in that same price range or a little cheaper, if you haven't already checked it out. It lacks a dropper post, but it has cable routing for one. Surly is in Minnesota, so they know snow. The only issue I see is that the frame is steel, and that may not work out well if you have to ride on salted roads for any distance. wednesday

I've had a Long Haul Trucker for years, and I can say from experience the Surly bikes come with good assembly instructions.

Whatever you choose, I hope it serves you well, and gets you stoked for winter riding.

 

[laurawho7]

I saw you also posted in the Fat Bikes forum. They probably have more relevant experience.

From what you've said here I don't see a lot of reason to prefer one bike over the other. Since you're testing the fat bike waters, and may ultimately go a different direction, it may not be worth dropping extra coin on the carbon frame.

I don't recall that my friend's Bikes Direct fat bike had much in the way of instructions. I do recall that they had a lot of fun with it, but ultimately gave it to someone (this is urban California and we don't get snow, and they don't live close to a beach for sand riding) when they got a city bike. And now they have a scooter, so the city bike doesn't get ridden.

I could see a rigid fat bike being a ton of fun in the winter. Surly's Wednesday looks like it might fit the bill in that same price range or a little cheaper, if you haven't already checked it out. It lacks a dropper post, but it has cable routing for one. Surly is in Minnesota, so they know snow. The only issue I see is that the frame is steel, and that may not work out well if you have to ride on salted roads for any distance. wednesday

I've had a Long Haul Trucker for years, and I can say from experience the Surly bikes come with good assembly instructions.

Whatever you choose, I hope it serves you well, and gets you stoked for winter riding.

I have a surly gravel bike now that I'm selling. It's a nice ride and not too heavy for chromoly. I worry that a fat tire bike will be heavier and I won't be able to lift it to put it in the Element. One reason why I started looking at carbon and aluminum.

 

[eb1888]

The Element has good space for any of these bikes. I fit my bike in the back of a Fit. With the wheels on. The Ragley can take a 2.6 tire on the rear and front. Watch this review.

 

[laurawho7]

The Element has good space for any of these bikes. I fit my bike in the back of a Fit. With the wheels on. The Ragley can take a 2.6 tire on the rear and front. Watch this review.

Yes its a nice bike. I'm looking for something I can ride in the winter and go over messed up snow trails. I believe a fat tire bike will do that and I can swap the tires for skinnier tire for summer riding if I want to.

 

[Arm&Hammer]

Yes its a nice bike. I'm looking for something I can ride in the winter and go over messed up snow trails. I believe a fat tire bike will do that and I can swap the tires for skinnier tire for summer riding if I want to.

Get the a fattie, I have one as a back up or main bike depending on season. I have had 10 different ones over the years and all were great. I would stay away from the Bluto though, that fork is a hot mess and would rather ride a rigid fork then that. Look for something that has the Mastodon.

 

[Arm&Hammer]

This was one of my first fatties - Fat Tire Trail Bike | Wednesday All-Around Bike

 

[laurawho7]

Get the a fattie, I have one as a back up or main bike depending on season. I have had 10 different ones over the years and all were great. I would stay away from the Bluto though, that fork is a hot mess and would rather ride a rigid fork then that. Look for something that has the Mastodon.

The trek has the mastodon fork and about $500 more than the Save up to 60% off new Rockshox Bluto Equipped Fat Bikes and Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Night Train Bullet PRO 2x10 SRAM Night Train bullet. Not sure the wait on the Trek though.

 

[eb1888]

The Mastudon Comp comes at 80mm travel. It can be adjusted to 100mm. Which would be useful for summer riding on 27.5 tires max. It has the ABS+ damper. That has a shim stack you can tune by adding or removing shims(washers) of different diameters and thicknesses. It you do that its one of the best dampers available. 34mm stantions are stiff to reduce flex. Having that fork is worth the difference, im experience. Ask a dealer on wait.

 

[laurawho7]

The Mastudon Comp comes at 80mm travel. It can be adjusted to 100mm. Which would be useful for summer riding on 27.5 tires max. It has the ABS+ damper. That has a shim stack you can tune by adding or removing shims(washers) of different diameters and thicknesses. It you do that its one of the best dampers available. 34mm stantions are stiff to reduce flex. Having that fork is worth the difference, im experience. Ask a dealer on wait.

LBS has a Trek Farley 7 in stock, in my size. Would you go for that or another fat tire bike?

 

[eb1888]

I'd choose it over your other listed options. And its in stock. You may get other bike choices by asking in the Fat bike forum. Fat bikes

 

[laurawho7]

I'd choose it over your other listed options. And its in stock. You may get other bike choices by asking in the Fat bike forum. Fat bikes

Ok called the LBS and put a deposit down. After I sell my gravel bike tomorrow. I'll go buy it on wed.

 

[eb1888]

Congrats. Here's a tire pump I use.

JOEBLOW® DUALIE

<p>This clever dual-gauge floor pump was exclusively designed for low pressure Fat-Bike tires and moderate pressure MTB tires. A massive oversized barrel is 1.5 times larger than a standard floor pump and delivers large air volume to fill oversized tires quickly. A 30 psi (2 bar) gauge shows...

www.topeak.com

 

[laurawho7]

Finally got it. Can't wait to take it for a proper ride!

Thanks for your help in getting me sorted out.